Creating a prototype of a product used to be a very expensive proposition. Now, however, with the availability of consumer-level 3D printers and relatively easy-to-program custom electronics controlled by processors like the Arduino, it is possible to prototype many types of products yourself. This certificate consists of two classes; either one can be taken first.

3D printing can be used to create product mockups quickly, and is particularly useful for things like seeing how something feels to a user, seeing how a piece will fit with other existing pieces, and the like. It is still very difficult to scan an existing object and create a copy, and the class will talk about where the technologies stand for the areas that are not easy (yet).

“Maker” electronics include microprocessors like the Arduino, which have a free and open source ecosystem of software and compatible sensors that will allow you to create interactive prototypes that can detect motion, sound, light, and so on, or control moving parts. There are even sewable versions of these processors that can be integrated into garments or other fabric products.

Taken together, these two classes will give you the skills to get started with these two aspects of low-cost prototyping, and give you an idea of what is possible and where to learn even more skills going forward.

Individual Courses

Introduction to 3D Printing

3D printing has been hailed as a solution to all manufacturing problems. Obviously that is exaggerated, but what is it good for (and when is traditional manufacturing still the better choice?) In this course you will learn how to separate the real promise of the technology from the hype, and understand the workflow for a consumer-level 3D printer. You will become familiar with some typical online databases of objects available to print, and get a bit of experience with free or open-source software for all stages of the process. This class will be primarily focused to introduce you to the tools of the open 3D printer ecosystem, but the principles will apply to consumer 3D printers in general.

One-month course

Prototyping with Maker Electronics

Arduino. 3D printing. Wearable tech. Your students or your kids may be talking about these things, but what is all this stuff, and how can you keep up and try to get ahead of them? This class will survey the core technologies found in makerspaces and give you a start in understanding what you will need to learn to create awesome technology projects. You will also learn how to find and sort through the many free resources online.

Recommended optional e-book: Horvath and Cameron, The New Shop Class: Getting Started with 3D Printing, Arduino and Wearable Tech (Apress: 2015) [discount code for U Got Class students will be available]

One-month course

About online learning

Online learning is a fun, enjoyable and very productive way to learn. Millions of people are learning online each year. You will engage with the instructor and other participants. You will get to know your instructor and other participants. You may make friends. It’s easy. It’s fun.

How the Course Works

It is easy to participate in your online course. After you register, you will be given a web address to go to get into your online classroom. You will have a password and use your email address and password to gain access.

Once inside the online classroom, here’s what you can expect.

Participate when you want

You can participate any time of day or evening. The online classroom is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
There are no live real-time requirements or meetings. You decide when you participate.
For the best learning, participants should log into the course on 2-3 different days of the week.

What you will do

For each Unit, you will:

Access the online readings

Listen to the audio presentation for the Unit and view the slides

Take a self-quiz to see how much you have learned

Engage in written online discussion with your instructor and other participants

For best learning, you should make one or more comments at 2-3 different times each day.

The content (readings, audio lectures, slides) and self quizzes are accessible for the entire course, so you can work ahead, or go back and review again, at your convenience.

Discussion

The Discussion for each Unit lasts one week. All comments are made in writing and can be made at any time of the day or night.

Your instructor will log into the Discussion area at least once a day and answer questions, make comments, and respond to comments by you and the other participants.

We encourage you to make 2-3 comments each day to maximize your learning and enjoyment of the course.

Joan Horvath and Rich “Whosawhatsis” Cameron are the co-founders of maker technology consultancy Nonscriptum LLC (www.nonscriptum.com) and previously were respectively VP of Business Development and VP of R&D at a small Kickstarter-funded 3D printer company. They collaborate on books for Apress, most recently “The New Shop Class.” Joan’s experience includes a 16 year stint in the aerospace industry, adjunct positions at several universities, and consulting in a wide variety of circumstances. She has degrees in Aeronautics and Astronautics from MIT and an Engineering MS from UCLA. Rich is an open-source 3D printer guru who designed one of the early open source 3D printers, the Wallace, and later the commercially-available Bukito.